CROSS ROADS

ST. ANDREW UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DECEMBER 2012

“Called by Christ to bring others into the nets of God’s love.”

"Now after John had been taken into custody,

Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel

of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and

the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and

believe in the gospel."

Mark 1: 14-15

The quick version of the message of

Christ used in the synoptic Gospels is this:

Change your life (repent) and believe that

God’s kingdom is at hand. This is the

message that John the Baptist shared and the

message that Christ continues to carry into

the world. During this time of remembering

the birth of Christ, let’s look deeper into

how the message he shared two thousand

years ago should still change our lives today.

The term repent is a reminder to us

that we still have faults and failings. Jesus

was not ignoring the fact that we do not

always make good choices. He was not

simply saying to the people that God loves

them as they are and wants them to remain

stuck in their struggles. Jesus understood

that in order for us to have fullness in life,

we needed to turn away from our faults and

seek the Creator of all life. Jesus knew that

in order for us to move forward we need to

seek to change from being self-centered to

being God-centered. Repentance remains

fundamental for Christians in their

understanding of the world. However, I

think the most important part is why Christ

desires for us to repent.

Jesus says that the time has come

and that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

The word translated here as “at hand” (in

other translations they may use “near”) is in

the perfect tense in Greek. That implies that

it refers to an event that happened in the past

but continues to be relevant in the future.

With the birth of Christ, the Kingdom of

God has come. It did not come, have a time,

and disappear. It was an event that

happened and remains relevant. It remains

relevant because as we seek to bring God’s

will into our lives, the Kingdom of God

becomes obvious. In a sense, it is our

responsibility to respond in such a way that

God’s Kingdom is brought forward for all

people in all situations. If we repent and

truly seek God first, then His Kingdom will

be evident.

I am reminded of this every time I

help someone in need. I know you know the

feeling. That time when you called a friend

at just the right time - God’s Kingdom was

there. Those moments when your presence

strengthens and uplifts another person -

God’s Kingdom was there! Jesus does not

seem to see God’s Kingdom as an event that

happened or will happen. It is all those

events that happen to bring God’s presence

into our reality. It is the good news! That

God would desire to interact with us on a

daily basis. Into our mundane world the

King of Kings should choose to make His

Kingdom present in our lives. Can the news

be any greater? Repent, for the Kingdom of

God is at hand.

The Rev. Robb E. Faller

St. Andrew United Methodist Church 611 Swamp Creek Road, P.O. Box 434

New Berlinville, PA 19545

610-367-7043

www.SaintAndrewUMC.org

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon

Church Staff

Pastor…………....…..........Rev. Robb Faller (cell 484-686-1778)

PastorRobb@SaintAndrewUMC.org

Pastor Emeritus......………............…….......Rev. Kenneth Kline

Director of Youth Ministry.....……....………......Adam Deering

Adam@SaintAndrewUMC.org

Adult Choir Directors...…....….....Rob Cavett & Connie Sithens

Organist ..........................................................Sharman Kleinhenn

Administrative Assistant ………….....…..........Mary L. Cantlin

Office @SaintAndrewUMC.org

Sunday Worship Schedule

9:00 AM

Contemporary Celebration Service An upbeat, high energy, music driven service with approximately 40 minutes of praise and

worship and 20 minutes of prayer and preaching. This service utilizes music to draw people

into God’s presence on a very personal level.

We also offer at this time:

Crib and Pre-K Nursery Care

Adult Sunday School (September through May)

Library - Owen Allen, Leader

Fellowship Hall - Rev. Henry Ziegler, Leader

10:30 AM

Traditional Service A service that utilizes centuries of traditions to draw people into God's presence. Multiple

elements, including classic hymns played on the organ, feed the senses of the worshippers to

remind them of the love and life of Jesus during the past, present and future.

We also offer at this time:

Crib Nursery Care

Pre-K Sunday School

Adult Sunday School

Library - Jim Good, Leader

Sunday School Classes

K-3rd Grade - Fellowship Hall

4th-6th Grade - Fellowship Hall

Junior & Senior High - Fellowship Hall Youth Room

Young Adult Class - Fellowship Hall Jr. High Room (June through August)

Worship Helpers for December

GREETERS

Date Celebration Service

9:00 am

Traditional Service

10:30 am December 2 Susan Welsh

Linda Drabinsky

Mike Nakonechny

Rose Marie Bireley

Mary Frain

Mary Fox

December 9 Gary & Mary Ann Hart

Dave & Sue McElwee

Harry & Linda Mohr

Jason & Bethany Miller

Donna Baith

Rose German

December 16 The Purnell Family

Jim & Shari Good

Mary Ann Stauffer

Joan Herbst & John Heydt

Betty Graham

Jean Kemp

December 23 The Egbert Family

Jim & Bonne Riefenstahl

Anita Church

Marion Bartman

Tracy & Jane Donmoyer

Al & Ruth Fuchs

December 30 Tim & Linda Clancy

Muriel Fisher

Bill & Delores Evens

Debbie Patt

P.J. Long

Pat Cavanaugh

TRADITIONAL SERVICE

Date Head Usher Liturgist December 2 Amy Babb Warren Moser

December 9 Debbie Patt Dave Purnell

December 16 Nathan Babb Peg Hoover

December 23 Robert Moyer Harry Mohr

December 30 Bill Evens Nancy Renninger

NURSERY CARE

Date Celebration Service Traditional Service

December 2 Bonne Riefenstahl & Liz Fox Becca Riefenstahl

December 9 Linda Clancy & Linda Drabinsky Diane Yusko

December 16 Bethany Miller & Dee Faller Barb Dziura

December 23 Lori DiMaio-Egbert Warren & Linda Moser

December 30 Beth Rosenberger Jane Donmoyer

SOUND BOARD & VIDEO

Celebration Service Traditional Service

Date Sound Board Video Sound Board Video December 2 John Stauffer Mary Ann Stauffer Lauren Fox Gary Hart

December 9 Mario Leone Tracy Donmoyer Mario Leone Jen Ewing

December 16 Tim Clancy Tracy Donmoyer Sonne Shorley Open

December 23 Jen Ewing Youth Jim McClure Linda McClure

December 30 Mark Egbert Open Jim McClure Linda McClure

ALTAR FLOWERS

Date Name December 2 Presented by Tim & Linda Clancy in Celebration of Morgan's and Linda's Birthdays

December 9 Presented by Christy, Nick, and Emma Gresh in Celebration of Randy's 50th Birthday!

December 16 Presented by Barrie Fisher in Memory of Doris

December 23 Presented by Mary & David Frain in Celebration of their Wedding Anniversary

December 30 Presented by Dee Faller in Honor of her beloved husband

Date Name Date Name December 2 Peggy Baer December 19 Jeffery Bartman

Jeffrey Davies Ashlyn Crawford

Valorie Konnick Ryan Fox

December 4 Jennifer Wilde Betty Graham

December 5 Derek Dierolf Daniel Purnell

December 7 Linda Clancy December 20 Bruce Bartman

Bonne Riefenstahl December 23 Ayden Heimbach

December 8 Morgan Clancy Stephen Weisel

December 10 Adam Deering December 24 Zachary Cantlin

Randy Gresh December 25 Charlotte Johnston

December 12 Kari Kindig December 26 Mike Dziura

December 13 Pastor Robb Faller December 28 Nathan Babb

December 29 James Riefenstahl

Date Couple December 1 John & Marsha Bartholomew

December 10 Michael & Jennifer Wilde

December 13 Pete & Patty Retzlaff

December 20 Dave & Tammy Purnell

December 22 Bill & Delores Evens

December 25 David & Mary Frain

December 31 Pastor Robb & Dee Faller

If you don't see your birthday and anniversary information printed here and you would like it

to be, please contact the church office to update your records.

DECEMBER SERMONS

Date Topic

December 2 True Spirit of Christmas

December 9 Good Will Always

December 16 Meaning in Symbols

December 23 Purpose of Christmas

December 30

Fifth Sunday Questions - Email Pastor Robb with any spiritual questions you would like answered. PastorRobb@SaintAndrewUMC.org

Bridge the Gap!

Begins again January 16, 2013 Wednesday Evenings - 6:30 to 7:30 PM

There is something for everyone! Come Join Us!

Do you or anyone you know need a ride to worship service for either

just one day or an on-going basis?

If so, call the church office at 610-367-7043 and we will arrange it for you.

We have drivers ready to provide transportation!

Youth Ministry by Adam Deering

As we are coming up on the end of 2012, it seems fitting to take a look back and share with the congregation what the youth have been up to over the past twelve months.

In January, St. Andrew hosted the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service sponsored by the Boyertown Area Ministerial Association. The service featured worship led by some of our youth praise band members, as well as a skit focused upon the values and principles that King stood for. This skit was designed by the students and included two of our own youth who no doubt left their mark on the audience with their superb acting skills! In June, we had our largest confirmation class in years become members of our congregation. Twelve students proclaimed their faith and intent to join this congregation and become faithful members who serve God and this church. In July, the youth helped out with Vacation Bible School and then went on our annual trip to Harvey Cedars Bible Conference. We had a total of twenty nine students and leaders attend the conference this summer which was focused on holiness. The focus was on the fact that we are all called to be holy as God is holy, to seek to grow in our relationship with him, and to share that with others. In August, we teamed up with Hope Community Church to participate in the 30 Hour Famine. All together we were able to raise roughly $1,400.00 to feed starving children. Along with raising money we played bean bag baseball (and lost miserably) with the residents of Walnut Woods, and we helped Fellowship Farms do some much needed brush clearing. Finally, September featured “See You At The Pole” where many of our students met before school began and prayed for their classmates.

Along with those big events, we also began the process of establishing regular visits with the residents at Walnut Woods. We have also integrated quite a few of our former students (who are now in college) with leadership roles in our youth program. We have also started to look for other opportunities to help other groups in our church. Some of the youth helped the Outreach Committee with the Boyertown Sidewalk Expo and the Women’s Group with their Holiday Bazaar. Overall, it has been a busy 2012, and we look forward to seeing what God is going to do in the lives of our students in 2013.

Ink Cartridge and Cell Phone

Recycling

Please continue to support the youth and help clean up the environment at the same time by recycling your used ink cartridges and old cell phones at St. Andrew UMC. Look for the boxes above the coat rack in the Welcome Center. All money raised will go to benefit Youth Missions. Thank you for supporting our youth!

Yarn Spinners & Scrapbookers

We will not meet in December because of the Christmas holiday. Our next meeting will be January 16th at 7:00 PM. Have a blessed Christmas season and we will see you next year!

Sunday School News by Dee Faller

December's Lesson Topics December 1st – The Hanging of the Christmas Greens!

Invite your friends, family, co-workers...

December 2nd - True Spirit of Christmas (We will begin our Jesse Tree today!)

December 9th - Good Will Always

December 16th - Meaning in Symbols

December 23rd – Jesus, God's Holy Son

December 30th – Questions from the kids

While our hearts are still fresh with the ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE from Thanksgiving, lets fall right into the true gift of Christmas...right this very moment!

A Jesus Advent Celebration...

everyday unwrapping more of His love

We begin the season of Advent this year on Saturday, December 1st with the Hanging of The Christmas Greens Celebration!

The children will then be walking through this most loved season together each Sunday morning as we celebrate through the tradition of decorating a Jesse Tree!

Won't you join us on the Jesse Tree Journey?

I will have copies available in the classroom should you decide to add this to your home celebration this year!

(All you will need is a tree branch and the Devotional!) Also, in a combined effort, our Nursery through 6th grade classes would like to

purchase a pair of chickens for a family through "Gospel for Asia." We will do this with the Sunday offerings your children bring each Sunday in December.

You can read more about this ministry by going to this site:

www.gfa.org/gift/

Praying for you and your family, as we prepare for our real Christmas Joy...

Jesus!

Fellowship Events

Christmas Greetings - December 9, 2012

1:00 – 4:00 PM

Three St. Andrew families have graciously opened their homes for a time of fellowship, snacks,

and holiday cheer! Please visit these homes and enjoy a delightful afternoon.

Host: Directions:

Donna Werkheiser

19 Walnut Lane

Bechtelsville, PA 19505

Exit from front entrance of St. Andrew. Turn Right onto Swamp Creek Road. Turn Right onto Mulberry Lane. Take 1

st left onto

Walnut Lane. Proceed to #19 on the right.

Adam & Amanda Deering

620 Spruce Street

Pottstown, PA 19464

Follow Route 100 South. Turn left at light at N. State Street (The light on Rt. 100 where Applebee's is on your left and Bestbuy is on your right). Turn left onto Wilson Street, then right onto Spruce Street. (There is a car wash on the corner of Spruce and Wilson) #620 is on the left. Note: If you hit an intersection with a Rita's and a gas station you've gone too far.)

Jason & Bethany Miller

102 Elio Circle

Limerick PA 19468

Follow Route 73 East to Swamp Pike. Continue to light at W. Ridge Pike; turn left. Take the 1

st left onto N. Limerick Road. Take 2

nd

right onto Elio Circle. #102 is the first house on the right.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16th Bring a packed

lunch so that we can eat together in Fellowship Hall after the 10:30 church service. We plan to

leave by 12:30 PM. We hope to have enough people to be able to split into three groups.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

NEW YEARS EVE PARTY – DECEMBER 31st – 7:00 PM-MIDNIGHT

Ring in the New Year with your St. Andrew friends! Drop in anytime after 7:00 PM. Stay for

a little while or stay until Midnight! Bring your favorite games to play and a snack to share.

This annual St. Andrew event is a SAFE and FUN family time! (Youth under the age of 18

must be accompanied by a responsible adult.)

Mission Moments by Marilyn Rhoads

There will be not be a December meeting of the Missions Committee. For our January 10th meeting we will be finalizing plans for the Spud Luncheon on January 20th. Angel Tree We are providing Christmas gifts for "15 angels" from the Salvation Army. The angels are children in our community in need of assistance. There is a tree in the narthex with names of children who need our help. Instructions are on the tags. No more than $50.00 is to be spent by volunteers wishing to buy gifts for a child. The gifts may include one outfit and one toy. Please return the gifts to the church by December 2nd along with the "angel tag" and wrapping paper. The gifts should be unwrapped. Christmas Poinsettias Order forms for our annual poinsettia fundraiser are due December 2nd. Forms are available in the Welcome Center. Thanksgiving Food Drive St. Andrew's Thanksgiving Food Drive for Multi-Service and the Salvation Army provided food for those in need in our community. Thank you for your generous support in this service. Small Hands, Loving Hearts - Children's Volunteer Organization We appreciate your continued support of saving drink pouches for Heifer International. These will enable us to provide plants or animals for families to become self-sufficient. The box for collection of these pouches is located in the narthex.

Spud Luncheon

Date: January 20, 2013

Given by: The Mission Committee

Time: After the 10:30 AM church service

Takeout available: After the 9:00 AM service

Cost: By Donation

Donations will be used to support the 2013 Youth Mission Trip.

Good News From Guatemala! The 2012 school year has just ended for the children and youth that we support and this year there is a wonderful accomplishment to share with you. Yohana has graduated from high school! (a rare occurrence in Guatemala) Yohana studied some classes in high school that will allow her to be a secretary. In a message that we recently received, Yohana shared that she and her family are deeply thankful for all of our help and support. She plans to keep in touch with us and let us know how she is doing.

Thanks so much to everyone who helps to make this program a success for students just like Yohana.

Christmas Card Exchange

Once again we will be holding a Christmas Card Exchange between our fellow church

members! Now through December 13th, you can bring any cards you would like to give

someone at St. Andrew. There will be boxes labeled A-L and M-Z in the Welcome

Center. Place your cards in the boxes and volunteers will organize them by family. Cards

will be ready for pick up from December 16th through December 25th. What a fun way to

send a Christmas greeting and save a stamp!

NOTE: Cards may be dropped off from November 25th through December 13th only.

St. Andrew Men's Meeting

The St. Andrew Men will hold their monthly breakfast on Sunday, December 2nd at the Woodside Restaurant on Route 100 in Bechtelsville beginning at 7:30 AM. All men of the church are invited to attend. Come join us for a fun time of fellowship!

Building Use Forms

Applications for Building Use for next year are available in the Welcome Center. Applications can be turned into the church office and they will be forwarded to the Board of Trustees for approval.

St. Andrew Women

St. Andrew Women's Group Christmas Dinner & Program

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

6:15 PM

Fellowship Hall

Tickets are $5.00

Please see Mary Frain, Cathy Webb, or the church

office for tickets. The program begins at 7:30 PM in

the sanctuary. The youth choir will be providing

special music for the program. Marion Bartman will

provide some fun humor and Kay Behle will be

playing Christmas carols.

All women of the church are invited. Come join us

for an evening of fun! Babysitting will be provided for

the young mothers.

BAKERS, COOKS, SERVE STAFF

AND CLEAN UP CREW ARE NEEDED On Tuesday, December 11th, the St. Andrew Women will be hosting a Christmas luncheon for members of AARP. Set Up and Prep Work will be done on Monday, December 10th, beginning at 9:00 AM until about Noon - 1 PM. Help is needed to cook and set out the food on Tuesday, December 11th, beginning at 8:30 AM. The meal will be served about Noon, with clean up following the meal. Desserts are also needed. These can be brought to the church on Monday or Tuesday from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Proceeds from this breakfast will be used by St. Andrew Women to fund their church activities. If you have any questions, please call Marion Bartman at 610.369.1775. Thank you for your support.

Thank you from the St. Andrew Women's Group to all those who helped with the bazaar in any way - whether by volunteering, baking goodies, donations for the White Elephant room, and most of all your prayers! We also

want to thank everyone who supported Operation Christmas Child. We collected 60 boxes and many fillers! It was all appreciated very much!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES The Center at Spring Street

Biggest Need:

Kitchen Volunteer Meals on Wheels Packer

“Early-Bird” Breakfast Volunteer Dishwasher

Meals on Wheels Driver

Also Needed:

Dining Room Clean-up Volunteer Silverware Wrapper

Clerical Volunteer Officer of the Membership

Special Committees Choral Volunteer

Quilting Volunteer Program Volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering, call Karen Youse at 610-367-2313.

ZUMBA®

So you would like to try ZUMBA® on Monday nights 7:00 – 8:00 pm at St.

Andrew but not sure if you will like it?

Well your first ZUMBA® class with Gail

is FREE.If you are a teenager through

young at heart come party with us

Questions: Contact Lisa Scardino 610-906-2357 or lisaray@dejazzd.com

Treasurer's Report

Improvement Current Church

Envelopes Envelopes Plate

October 7 322.00 3,981.00 55.00

October 14 385.00 4,998.66 74.50

October 21 221.00 2,283.00 59.00

October 28 219.00 2,953.85 82.00

Total Received Y-T-D 12,013.00 162,452.30 3,331.67

as of 10/31/12

Total Received Y-T-D 11,066.00 169,455.85 3,723.51

as of 10/31/11

Total expenses paid year to date at 10/31/2012 were $178,051.32. If you would like any portion of your

offering to be used for improvements to the church building, please indicate that amount on the front of

your offering envelope.

Please keep the following members who are unable to attend services

in your prayers…

Marietta Stahl

2917 E. High Street

Pottstown, PA 19464

Ginny McKinstry

P.O. Box 113

New Berlinville, PA 19545

Robert Preudhomme

124 Harry Howard Blvd.

Hudson, NY 12534

Ken Kline

P.O. Box 548

Oaktree Apartments #220

Frederick, PA 19435

Pamela Hudelson

Rockhill Mennonite Community

3250 State Road

Room 320

Sellersville, PA 18960

Evelyn Kring Chestnut Knoll

120 W. 5th Street

Apartment 410

Boyertown, PA 19512

Nancy Jones

The Lutheran Home at Topton

One South Home Avenue

Room 302

Topton, PA 19562

General Information - Please call the church office when:

A member of your family is admitted to the hospital.

A member is discharged from the hospital.

A new baby arrives in your family.

Your home phone number or address has changed.

Information for the January Cross Roads Newsletter is due in the church office by Sunday, December 16th. Thank you.

DECEMBER 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 5:00 PM Hanging of the Greens Dinner and Service

2 7:30 AM Men's Breakfast at Woodside

3 9:00 AM Craft Group 6:30 PM 4-H Meeting 7:00 PM ZUMBA

4 7:00 PM Trustees Meeting

5

6 7:00 PM Hot Spot - Van in Use 7:15: Choir

7 7:00-10:00 PM Fellowship Hall Reserved

8 3:00-9:00 PM Fellowship Hall Reserved

9 1-4:00 PM Christmas Greetings and Fellowship Hall Reserved

10 9:00 AM SAW AARP Lunch Prep 7:00 PM ZUMBA

11 8:00 AM SAW AARP Luncheon

12 6:15 PM St. Andrew Women's Party

13 7:00 PM Hot Spot - Van in Use 7:15: Choir

14 10:00 AM Prepare & Serve Lunch at Salvation Army

15

16 12:30 PM Christmas Caroling

17 9:00 AM Craft Group 7:00 PM ZUMBA

18

19 7:00 PM Church Council

20 7:00 PM Hot Spot Christmas Party - Van in Use 7:15: Choir

21

22

23

24 7:00 and 10:00 PM Christmas Eve Services

25 Merry Christmas! Fellowship Hall Reserved Office Closed

26 Office Closed

27

28

29

30

31 7:00 PM New Years Eve Party

Note: Bridge the Gap returns January 16, 2012

In case of bad weather St. Andrew UMC will use the following guidelines: If Boyertown School District is closed or has an early dismissal due to inclement weather - church activities that evening are canceled.

If Boyertown School District has a late start - all church activities are still on schedule.

If bad weather starts after school is out - check our Facebook and Twitter pages for updates.